20. Bella
TWENTY
Bella
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of toasted bread, creating a comforting atmosphere. I take a bite of my toast, glancing at Alex. He seems more relaxed, but there's still a shadow in his eyes.
Alex looks up, a small smile playing on his lips. "I talked to the hotel manager. We can stay as long as we like."
Relief washes over me, but my curiosity gets the better of me. "How did you become a hitman? Was there a vacancy somewhere? Did you have an interview?"
He takes a deep breath, his eyes growing distant as he begins his story. “I was an orphan, grew up on the streets. It was a tough life, and I had to toughen up quickly. One night, a fight went too far, and I killed someone. I didn’t mean to, but it happened.”
I reach out, placing my hand over his, silently urging him to continue.
“A mob boss saw it and took me in. The guy I killed was one of his enemies. He covered up the killing and offered me work. Turns out I have a natural skill for killing and shutting down my emotions. It’s like I never had any… until I met you.”
My heart aches for the boy he once was, forced into a life of violence and solitude. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” I whisper, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
He pulls me into a hug, and I hold him tightly, wanting to take away some of his pain. “My mum died when I was little. It was just me and my dad. He tried his best, but things were always tough. Then he lost his job and all this happened.”
Alex’s eyes light up. “Bella, you have a million dollars now. You can use it to become whatever you want. Go anywhere.”
"What about books?" I ask, curious to see if our literary tastes align as well.
"Thriller novels, mostly," Alex replies, his eyes lighting up. "I can't get enough of the suspense and the twists. There's nothing like a good mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat."
I smile, feeling a surge of excitement. "Same here. I love getting lost in a good thriller. Have you read anything by Gillian Flynn?"
"Oh, absolutely," he says, his tone animated. "Gone Girl was a real mind-bender. I couldn't put it down."
"I know, right?" I say, leaning forward. "The way she writes those characters is just incredible. So complex and flawed. It's like you can't trust anyone."
We delve into a discussion about our favorite thriller novels, and I find myself laughing and smiling more than I have in a long time. There's a lightness in the air now, a sense of possibility that feels almost foreign after everything we've been through.
“You know,” Alex says, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “I never thought I’d meet someone who could make me feel this way. You’ve changed everything for me, Bella.”
I reach across the table, taking his hand in mine. “You’ve changed everything for me too, Alex.”
He squeezes my hand, his gaze intense and full of promise. “Me too. We’ll get through this, and we’ll make something beautiful out of this mess.”